Growth enhancement and control of bacterial and fungal plant diseases with streptomyces scopuliridis

Abstract

Methods of controlling plant diseases mediated by bacterial or fungal plant pathogens. The method comprises providing Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72 or an isolated protein or polypeptide comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:1 and applying the Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72 or the isolated protein or polypeptide comprising the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:1 to plants or plant seeds under conditions effective to treat plant diseases mediated by bacterial or fungal plant pathogens. Also disclosed is a plant or plant seed treated by this method, a planting composition, and a method of enhancing growth.

Description

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 369,315, filed Jul. 30, 2010.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the enhancement of growth and the control of plant diseases caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens with a newly described species of bacterium, Streptomyces scopuliridis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Plants are under almost constant attack by bacterial and fungal pathogens in the environment and economic losses are a frequent consequence of this assault. To avoid or reduce economic loss, synthetic chemical fungicides have been traditionally used to keep the development of disease in check. However, the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment and human health can be harmful; this impact has been well-documented. Improperly used chemical pesticides can contaminate water, air, and soil and can have lasting harmful effects on aquatic life, birds, mammals, and beneficial insects such as bees. Furt...

Examples

example 1

Inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

[0079]This example gives an illustration of the inhibitory activity of Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72, according to the present invention, on the fungal plant pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

[0080]As set forth in Table 2, growth inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was 62.07%. FIG. 1 is a photograph of a representative Petri dish showing growth inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

TABLE 2Quantitative Growth Inhibition of Phytopathogensby Streptomyces scopuliridis Strain RB72.Growth InhibitionPhytopathogenby RB72Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici62.07%Rhizoctonia solani83.92%Pythium ultimum67.65%Pythium irregulare68.02%Pythium aphanidermatum68.84%Phytophthora nicotianae73.44%Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.++Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.++++++ Very strong growth inhibition,++ Strong growth inhibition,+ Moderate growth inhibition

Growth inhibition for fungal phytopathogens is defined as a ...

example 2

Inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani

[0081]This example gives an illustration of the inhibitory activity of Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72, according to the present invention, on the fungal plant pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani.

[0082]As set forth in Table 2, growth inhibition of R. solani was rated as 83.92%. FIG. 2 is a photograph of a representative Petri dish showing growth inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani.

example 3

Inhibition of Pythium ultimum

[0083]This example gives an illustration of the inhibitory activity of Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72, according to the present invention, on the fungal plant pathogen, Pythium ultimum.

[0084]As set forth in Table 2, growth inhibition of P. ultimum was rated as 67.65%. FIG. 3 is a photograph of a representative Petri dish showing growth inhibition of Pythium ultimum.

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 369,315, filed Jul. 30, 2010.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the enhancement of growth and the control of plant diseases caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens with a newly described species of bacterium, Streptomyces scopuliridis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Plants are under almost constant attack by bacterial and fungal pathogens in the environment and economic losses are a frequent consequence of this assault. To avoid or reduce economic loss, synthetic chemical fungicides have been traditionally used to keep the development of disease in check. However, the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment and human health can be harmful; this impact has been well-documented. Improperly used chemical pesticides can contaminate water, air, and soil and can have lasting harmful effects on aquatic life, birds, mammals, and beneficial insects such as bees. Furt...

Examples

example 1

Inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

[0079]This example gives an illustration of the inhibitory activity of Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72, according to the present invention, on the fungal plant pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

[0080]As set forth in Table 2, growth inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was 62.07%. FIG. 1 is a photograph of a representative Petri dish showing growth inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici.

TABLE 2Quantitative Growth Inhibition of Phytopathogensby Streptomyces scopuliridis Strain RB72.Growth InhibitionPhytopathogenby RB72Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici62.07%Rhizoctonia solani83.92%Pythium ultimum67.65%Pythium irregulare68.02%Pythium aphanidermatum68.84%Phytophthora nicotianae73.44%Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.++Clavibacter michiganensis subsp.++++++ Very strong growth inhibition,++ Strong growth inhibition,+ Moderate growth inhibition

Growth inhibition for fungal phytopathogens is defined as a ...

example 2

Inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani

[0081]This example gives an illustration of the inhibitory activity of Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72, according to the present invention, on the fungal plant pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani.

[0082]As set forth in Table 2, growth inhibition of R. solani was rated as 83.92%. FIG. 2 is a photograph of a representative Petri dish showing growth inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani.

example 3

Inhibition of Pythium ultimum

[0083]This example gives an illustration of the inhibitory activity of Streptomyces scopuliridis strain RB72, according to the present invention, on the fungal plant pathogen, Pythium ultimum.

[0084]As set forth in Table 2, growth inhibition of P. ultimum was rated as 67.65%. FIG. 3 is a photograph of a representative Petri dish showing growth inhibition of Pythium ultimum.

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